T-Mobile teams with Square on mobile commerce solution

Wireless carrier T-Mobile USA is wooing small businesses with a series of packages that combine the Square credit-card reader with small-business coverage and financing plans.

The combined solution is now available in T-Mobile retail stores, a strategy intended to increase the offering's appeal to small-business owners.

The carrier already has developed a series of specific service plans for small businesses that start at less than $60 per month for two lines. It has also created some app bundles for smartphones and tablets that are specific to small businesses. For example, the T-Mobile 4GPro App Pack aggregates DropBox, Evernote, Square, TripIt, Camscanner and LinkedIn.

Said Nikki Halgren, owner of The Gleeful Peacock, a jewelry business quoted in T-Mobile's press release about the solution:

"T-Mobile understands my needs as a small-business owner. They not only keep me connected on-the-go, but they've made it easy for me to get paid fast with my T-Mobile smartphone and Square. T-Mobile has made it simple and, as a result, I've nearly doubled my business over last year."

Whether or not T-Mobile's approach to build mindshare with small businesses can help the company build a long-term future as a standalone wireless carrier remains to be seen. But its focus on this market niche is definitely welcome.